PCF Officially Opens First Early Years And Largest Childcare Centre

Singapore, 20 April 2019 – Singapore’s first Early Years Centre (EYC), PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North was officially opened today by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North is the first of 12 PCF Sparkletots EYCs to officially open, with two more expected to open this year, bringing the total number of PCF Sparkletots EYCs to 14. By 2021, PCF Sparkletots will operate 38 EYCs. Under the EYC model, Singaporean and Singapore PR Nursery 2 children will have a guaranteed place reserved in a nearby MOE Kindergarten when they turn five years old.

The official opening ceremony was hosted by, Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower and PCF Executive Committee Chairperson. Gracing the event was special guest, Mr Ng Chee Meng, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of PCF Punggol North Branch. During a tour of the preschool, GOH Mr Teo Chee Hean, Mrs Josephine Teo, Mr Ng Chee Meng and guests witnessed various lessons conducted in a unique learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

As Singapore’s largest preschool operator with close to 360 preschools and an enrolment of over 40,000 children, PCF Sparkletots is committed to supporting the government’s efforts in providing additional preschool places. Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean said, “I am glad to see PCF Sparkletots’ commitment to expanding its services in the Early Years education segment. Good preschools like PCF Sparkletots not only offer good support for working parents, but can also give young children a strong start and foundation for life-long learning.”

PCF CEO, Mr Victor Bay shared, “PCF Sparkletots has a rich heritage in preparing children for life-long learning dating back to the 1960’s. With the official opening of PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North, PCF has indeed come a long way in developing preschools which cater to the changing needs of parents and their young ones today. At PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North, learning is expanded beyond the classroom through the innovative use of space that provides a creative, inspiring and safe learning environment. The opening of our first EYC signifies an exciting phase in the development of the early years sector. With our extensive footprint, and partnership with MOE Kindergarten, we are well-placed to support the government’s efforts to provide quality preschool education for all.”

PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North’s learning approach is anchored on the Sparkletots Early Years Curriculum which prioritises language, exposure of mother tongue, development of fine and gross motor skills through music and movement, early math, arts and sensorial activities. Learning at PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North is also enhanced by its unique environment, with purpose-built play areas like, ‘Sand Play Area’, ‘Water Play Arena’, ‘Infant Play Arena’, ‘Inner Courtyard’, ‘Culinary Room’, ‘Herbs and Vegetables Farm’, ‘ Adventure Park’, and a ‘Toddler Playground’.

Spanning across 100,000 sq ft, with a built-up area of more than 90,000 sq ft, PCF Sparkletots @ Punggol North is also PCF’s largest childcare centre to date. The EYC is designed to accommodate over 1,000 children at its full capacity, and provides infant and childcare services for children aged two months to four years old.